Mike Sheldrake - the new president of the Belmont Shore Business Association - could most likely use an extra cup of joe, if he can spare the time.

Belmont Shore, these days, is perky but also preoccupied with pesky problems.

Among the perky items, in the good news column, is Belmont Shore's biggest event on the holiday season calendar, the annual Christmas Parade, which is scheduled for Dec. 1.

The theme this year is "Go for the Gold," according to Sheldrake, who said the parade is a salute to Long Beach-area Olympic Games athletes.

"We expect about 60,000 people at the parade," said Sheldrake, owner of Polly's Gourmet Coffee, 4606 E. Second St.

Belmont Shore businesses will also have 12 days of Christmas, marking the holiday season with sale specials.

A big favorite for shoppers will be the three weekends before Christmas, when the parking meters on Second Street are covered, giving visitors free parking.

Although parking is a nagging problem along Second Street's retail and restaurant row, a dent has been made, according to Sheldrake.

He said the program giving free bus passes to Belmont Shore employees remains popular.

Earlier this year, Bill Lorbeer, chairman of the Belmont Shore Parking and Business Improvement Area Advisory Commission, reported that 874 bus passes were issued for a 62-day period, from May 25 to July 15. That accounted for 17,370 boardings and freed up nearly 100 parking spaces, Lorbeer said at the time.

Sheldrake said the program's popularity has resulted in its extension to at least January.

Meanwhile, business along Second has been brisk, the businessman said.

Sheldrake credited the merchants' hard work for the upward trend, and not Obama economics.

There's one thorny issue, however, that is raising concerns along Second, nudging the problem of noisy, nuisance bars slightly to the side - crime.

Jeff Miller, a member of the Belmont Shore Residents Association, reported that police crime reports for October show that there have been 10 petty theft cases - five with bicycles as the target, and three of those cases on Second; seven thefts from vehicles; seven hit-and-run cases, one with an injury, at Second and Bay Shore Avenue; and four breaking and entering cases.

Added Sheldrake: "There have been two more (recent) break-ins, and two armed robberies."

Sheldrake said the association's executive board has begun looking at options for security on Second, including a possible security camera system.

"No plans are set in stone," Sheldrake said.

The association is also attempting to foster more tranquility between the homeowners and operators of Second Street, where noisy patrons are often a nuisance.

"The bars are always going to be a concern," Sheldrake conceded. "we're never going to resolve all problems."

There's a simple solution, the association president contends: "Respect the neighbors and keep noise down."